Saturday, May 30, 2009

The Blizzard of Ozz himself has issued a statement saying that after years of trying to “resolve the issue amicably,” the lawsuit was regretfully Ozzy’s last course of action.

“The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing,” Ozzy says to close his statement.

Read Ozzy’s entire statement to Iommi below:

“It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse. As of the mid-1990’s, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of ‘Black Sabbath’ was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs. Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world.

We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name ‘Black Sabbath’ which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the ‘Black Sabbath’ brand through OZZFEST, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name “Black Sabbath” now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour.

Tony, I am so sorry it’s had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don’t have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally. I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way. We’ve all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright. We’re all in our 60’s now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing.”

DMN Newswire ~ Carl Rowatti, owner of Trutone Mastering Labs Inc., veteran mastering engineer, and master in the art of lacquer-cutting for vinyl records, has opened a new studio in his suburban 4400 sq. ft. Orangeburg, NY home. Created by Walters-Storyk Design Group architect/acoustician John Storyk, the facility features the same technology which earned Carl, Adrianna (his wife and partner) and Trutone Mastering Labs midtown studios, recognition as one of NY's most prestigious mastering complexes.

"Last year when Sony BMG Music went looking for a new location for their mastering studios, they offered to buy out our lease," Carl Rowatti says. "After serious contemplation we decided that their offer was simply too attractive to dismiss."

"The opportunity to transfer our NYC studio lease to Sony BMG, enabling them to move in and begin mastering with minimal downtime, was testament to the merits of our original WSDG-designed studios," confides Adrianna Rowatti. The Sony group truly appreciated our facility, it saved them months of construction time and expense"

In 2003, when the Rowatti's acquired the historic, former Record Plant space, at 321 West 44 St., they consulted with John Storyk, who embraced the challenge of reconfiguring the dated control room and live studio into two spacious state-of-the-art mastering suites with accommodations for Neumann VMS-70 lathes for analog cutting.

As soon as the Sony deal was finalized, Carl again consulted with WSDG architect/ acoustician John Storyk. "Our engineers and clients were so pleased with the look, sound and functionality of our Midtown studios, that we wanted John to recreate the same ambience for our new home studio. During his first visit to our home in the summer of 2008, John was in full agreement with our assessment of the 1100 sq ft. site we suggested for the new mastering suite. He also allayed our concerns about maintaining good relations with our suburban neighbors in terms of noise," Rowatti says. "We also liked his idea of developing a 'home theater' look for the new studio to keep it aesthetically appropriate to our home."

"Trutone is a casebook example of the mushrooming trend of established engineers moving their pro studios 'in house,'" Storyk says. "This is the second residential studio we've completed this year. The logic behind these investments is irrefutable. Recording studios represent the ideal 'neighborhood business.' Low traffic, low noise, zero pollution... When properly designed, these facilities are totally transparent to the surrounding residents. By employing decoupled floors, fully floating room design, IAC doors, diffusers, absorption and the latest sound insulation treatments, we guaranteed Carl the freedom to work at whatever dB level his clients require without compromising sound transmission to the rest of the residence."

Once plans were approved and finalized, in late 2008, the Rowattis contracted NJ-based studio construction pros, Kevin Carroll and Mark Jakubek of Sonic Construction to construct the studio and lounge areas.

"Now, we've eliminated our own daily commute and our clients are fine with the reverse trip," Adrianna Rowatti adds. "They can get to our new studio within 40 minutes from mid-town Manhattan. They rely on Carl's mastering skills and are completely at ease here. We're confident that the convenience, comfort and economics of moving the studio into our home will greatly extend the longevity of our career."

Rowatti depends on the Sonic Studio Pre-mastering System for CD master creation. Outboard equipment includes digital as well as solid state and vacuum tube analog. Gear includes: Weiss BW-102 Digital EQ and Compressors, Solid State Sontec EQ, Prism and NTP Compressors, Vacuum tube gear includes: Pultec and Manley Massive Passive Equalizers as well as the world-renowned Fairchild 670 and Manley Variable Mu Compressors. Analog to digital conversion is achieved utilizing a Prism Sound Dream A/D Converter. Analog disc cutting is accomplished via a meticulously maintained Neumann VMS-70 lathe retrofitted with a Zuma disc computer and Technics quartz-controlled turntable motor. The lathe is equipped with a Neumann SX-74 cutter head driven by a Neumann SAL-74B amplification system. A Neumann SP-77 console has been extensively modified to exceed the demands of today's high level electronic music. Studio monitors are KEF Reference 4s powered by Bryston and Ramsa amps.

"Thanks to its warmth and sonic vibrancy, demand for vinyl continues to thrive with rock 'n roll, classic reissues and a growing iPod generation fan base," Carl Rowatti concludes. "DJ's have long understood the mystery behind vinyl's ability to bring a unique emotional experience to today's club goers. It draws them out of their ear bud cocoons and fully engages them in the hot, exciting communal experience of dance. The sound of vinyl is unmistakable and fortunately for us, irreplaceable."

Carl Radle, bass player with Derek and the Dominoes, died of kidney failure in 1980 (age 38 - also worked with Gary Lewis & the Playboys, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, Dave Mason & Delaney and Bonnie).

Famed record producer Mickie Most died in 2003 (age 64). Produced hits for The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Donovan, Kim Wilde, Lulu and Jeff Beck. Also operated his own record label RAK in the 1970's, having hits with Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro and Mud.

The ‘King of Swing’ Benny Goodman was born in Chicago in 1909 (died June 13, 1986).

“The Man of a Thousand Voices,” and voice of a cartoon generation, Mel Blanc was born in 1908 (died July 10, 1989). His original characterization of Daffy Duck (for over 52 years) is the longest time any animated character has been performed by his or her original voice contributor.

Jazz guru/madman Sun Ra died in Birmingham, Alabama in 1993.

History:

In 1956, Time Magazine ran an article entitled "Teener's Hero," which explained Elvis Presley's mystique. After a drawn-out description of his singing style, the writer keyed on Presley's appeal: "his movements suggest, in a word, sex."

Though many declared that disco was dead in 1980, "Mickey Mouse Disco" went platinum anyway.

In 1971, three dozen Deadheads were treated for hallucinations caused by LSD they had unwittingly ingested when the drug was used to spike an apple drink served at San Francisco's Winterland. Although members of the group are suspected of supplying the drug, they are not accused. I wouldn’t have suspected them anyway…..

We need more! In 1994, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences announces will be adding seven more categories to the 81 Grammy Awards already handed out yearly.

Ray Stevens went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1970 with “Everything Is Beautiful.” The former DJ had a string of novelty hits, including “Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green & Purple Pill.”

1999 - In London, a bomb threat at a Kenny Rogers concert being held at Royal Albert Hall caused the evacuation of more than 3,000. No bomb was found and no injuries were reported, however, surprisingly, more than 3,000 people really did show up for the gig.

Also in 1999 - In New Jersey, Lenny Kravitz walked off stage after 40 minutes and collapsed from heat exhaustion. Ummm, he had been performing in a fur coat.

Midnight Oil closed down 6th Avenue in New York City in 1990 as they played a protest concert in front of Exxon's offices. The protest was in reaction to the Exxon Valdez disaster.

On his 53rd birthday in 1962, clarinetist Benny Goodman performed with his jazz band for the first time in the Soviet Union.

The Jefferson Airplane performed at a benefit in 1966 for the Haight-Ashbury Legal Organization in San Francisco.

In 1968, the Beatles kicked off recording The Beatles double album (the White Album) by laying down 18 takes of "Revolution 1." Sessions will gradually deteriorate until all four members were recording independently of one another.

In 1997, Neil Young had to cancel his European tour after cutting his finger open while slicing a ham sandwich. A man really does need a maid.

Paul Simon married Edie Brickell of the New Bohemians in 1992. Brickell was performing "What I Am" on NBC's Saturday Night Live when she noticed Simon standing in front of the cameraman. "He made me mess the song up when I looked at him," she said with a smile. They have three little Bohemians.

In 2005, Coldplay's new album was illegally put on the internet a week before its UK and US release. The leak took place on the day copies were sent to UK radio stations and the day before it went on sale in Japan. Security measures around the release included hosting album playbacks at Abbey Road studios for journalists instead of sending them copies of the album, any CDs that were sent out were labelled with a false name - The Fir Trees - to throw would-be pirates off the scent.

In 2007, a leaked copy of the new White Stripes album “Icky Thump” was played completely on Chicago's radio station Q101-WKQX. Jack White personally called the US radio station from Spain, where he was touring, to voice his displeasure.